Students and community groups urge Salem‑Keizer board to end district’s phone‑pouch program

Several students, parents and youth organizers used the board’s public‑comment period to demand that Salem‑Keizer School District end its “Yonder Pouches” phone‑locking program and redirect funds to student supports.

At the meeting, sixth‑grader Nicole Fernandez said the pouches cause anxiety and interrupt learning when students fear not being able to hear a last call from parents. “This has been causing me anxiety and stress, and this makes me not think about school anymore,” Fernandez said, adding, “I think that it's wasteful to spend a million dollars for something that doesn't work.”

Representatives of a youth‑led Latino organization told the board they launched a petition calling for the district to stop the program; the speaker said the petition collected “over 350 signatures” in one week and said students report suspensions, searches and missed class time related to pouch enforcement. Sandra Hernandez, speaking later, said the program “forces middle school and high school students to lock their phones” and called that requirement a “form of control and policing over students.” Hernandez noted the district recently passed a resolution committing to Oregon sanctuary status and called the pouch policy a contradiction to that commitment.

Other commenters described disciplinary practices tied to pouch enforcement — including searches and the threat of suspension — and asked the board to reinvest the student‑investment account funds used for the pouches into “rapid response and wellness programs” and language access. A student who identified himself as Alfonso said he was pulled from class and threatened with suspension for a suspected phone, and that the experience made him feel criminalized.

District staff did not announce a board action on the program during the meeting. Multiple public commenters urged immediate board review and removal of the pouch policy, citing mental‑health and safety concerns. One commenter also suggested district funds be repurposed to Duolingo and language support for students who need extra assistance.

Why it matters: Commenters said the pouch program limits students’ ability to communicate with family during emergencies and increases stress for immigrant students already concerned about enforcement actions. Speakers framed the issue both as a student‑discipline problem and a community‑trust and equity concern.

What the board heard and asked: Board members acknowledged the comments and thanked speakers; there was no formal vote or policy change during the session. Staff had earlier said written comments would be posted online and that translation services were available for in‑person and remote commenters.

What remains unresolved: Commenters asked for a clear timeline for the district to review or suspend the pouch program; the board did not set a date for action in the meeting record.

Ending: Public commenters urged the board to act quickly to protect immigrant students’ communication rights and to redirect program funds to wellness and translation services. The district’s public comment record will be posted on the district website, the board said.